Archive for April, 2012

Question by DAVID C: Need info on converting “O” Gauge model R.R. rolling stock to HOn3 Scale?
What is required to convert from “O” scale to HOn3 scale for my model railroad rolling stock? I know the trucks will be required but are other items ; couplers, electric pick-ups for lighting, etc. also required? Please help as I am trying to convert my collection for a Christmas village display that is presently HO Gauge and prefer not to change trackage. Also need info on where to obtain these items.

Best answer:

Answer by westpac67To convert O scale to HOn30, as you mentioned you do need HO scale trucks. Unless there is a clearance problem above the track due to the shorter [height-wise] trucks, the couplers should be OK. As for the electrical pick-up, that depends a little bit on whether you are converting FROM 2-rail or 3-rail track. Either way, you need to get HO trucks with METAL wheels, preferably those designed for lighted HO cars like passenger cars or cabooses. Just wire them up per the instructions that should come with them.
I would recommend converting just two cars at first, and checking them on the track you will be using to make sure the cars will have clearance between them for the HO curves. At that point, you will know if you must modify/change the couplers or coupler mountings.
The best source for the parts [and additional tips/hints] would be a hobby shop that carries model railroad supplies AND parts. If you do not have one locally, then you might have to go to the Internet to find one.

Here is this week’s showcase from the NVMRA Railway Modellers meeting and in this video. My Hornby New HST makes its second appearce but with a shorter consist of 5 Mark III coaches all in Virgin Trains livery. My friend Phil V brings along his customised Class A1 “Tornado” Steam Locomotive in the Grey livery and it is a TMC (The Model Centre) issue. Then I run my Hornby Model of a Class 60 which is numbered 60040 and named “The Territorial Army Centenary” in the DB Schenker Maroon livery of which the nameplates of this model are etched metal ones custom made by Shawplan. Steve brought along his Class 37 that is numbered 37425 in the British Rail Large Logo livery with matching Blue & Grey liveried Mark II coaches also made by Bachmann. He also did bring his Class 108 2-car DMU in British Rail Blue & Grey livery as well. Which actually ran in a wierd but funny formation as it ran with my Class 153 in Central Trains livery that is numbered 153333. Another mate of mine Nathan made a Virgin Pullman HST formation which uses my Devon Belle VSOE Pullman Coaches with my Virgin HST Powercars which created quite a stir at the meeting! There is a clip of Phil V’s Hornby Railroad 9MT “Evening Star” that seems to be speeding like a TGV or a Shinkansen train. Then I filmed his N Gauge “Duchess Of Sutherland” LMS Class 8P working a fast passenger service on the test track ring. I think that covers everything and if I have missed anything off the roster, let me know so I can add it to …Video Rating: 4 / 5

This was my first visit to the Launceston Steam Railway in Cornwall on the final day of their Summer service. I was only there for just over an hour but was captivated by the locos and the atmosphere. I managed a few minutes of film and a some still photos which I have combined here for those who like these beautiful Victorian locos. Needless to say, no Chuffers were involved in the making of this film!Video Rating: 5 / 5

First off sorry if the video is shaky, I’m recording this FREE HAND on the top section seating of the auditorium at 28x – 80x zoom tried my best to hold still and not breathe X_x Camera Credit: Canon SX1 IS Full HD 1080p and Panasonic Class 6 memory card. Using High Definition 720p instead of 1080p due to video size vs. upload time. For 720p it takes average 1 hour per 2 minutes upload time. Youtube degraded the video to 480p after uploading =/ COME OUT AND SUPPORT KOLLABORATION Tickets here: www.kollaboration.org Special guests include Rex Navarrete, We Are Heroes, Abraham McDonald, Tony Rock, Pigeon John, Vudoo Soul, Just Kidding Films, and Peter Rocks and the Kollaboration House Band. Special guest judges: Lisa Ling, Rex Lee, Abraham McDonald, Kevjumba, Michelle Phan, Joseph Kahn, Nita Song, Patty Yoon. If you got a question message me in the mailbox, I rarely read my comments

electric trains alarm her…Image by ztephen
is it the buzz of the transfomers? the scream of the motors? the hammering of the aircompressors? the deafeningly loud station announcements? whatever, the dog just won’t settle down on our local trains. I guess I must be one of Scotrail’s 14% of unsatisfied customers…